Lentigos (sun spots)

Cosmetic Conditions

Lentigos (sun spots)

A lengtigo (plural: lentigines) is a brown spot on the skin, usually caused by an accumulation of sun exposure over the years. Also known as age or liver spots, they are flat painless areas, light brown to black in color. Lentigines tend to appear on the parts of the body that are most likely to be uncovered and unprotected from the sun, such as the face, hands, arms, shoulders and feet. They vary in size, but are larger than freckles. Lentigines are very common in people over the age of 40.

While lentigines are not medically dangerous, many people who develop them find them cosmetically unappealing. If the spot appears irregular, your doctor may recommend a biopsy be performed to ensure that no skin cancer is present. Avoiding spending time in the sun and regular use of sunscreen can prevent them from worsening as well as the occurrence of new lentigines. There are numerous treatments available to improve the appearance of lentigines, including liquid nitrogen, skin bleaching, microdermabrasion, laser skin resurfacing and chemical peels.